Pensieve: Pelikan M800 Tortoise Review

Pensieve: Pelikan Souverän M800 Tortoiseshell Brown Review

 

I resisted buying the Pelikan M800 Tortoise when it first came out in 2013, even though I thought it was one of the most beautiful M800s–definitely a nice departure from the usual green striped. I already had two M800s, and I hardly ever wrote with them. So, I didn’t think I needed to buy another one. But, I managed to sell both of my M800s and decided to purchase the Tortoise.

Pensieve: Omas Ogiva Alba in Green

Ever since Goulet Pens announced that they would be carrying the new Omas Ogiva Alba pens, I’ve wanted one. I can’t say why, really. I have a Platinum 3776 Century Nice with a very similar ribbed exterior (but it’s frosted/clear). The teal green Omas captivated me.

Pensieve: A Grail Pen in Photos

I wanted to post some photographs of my new grail pen, a Nakaya Naka-ai Housoge Kikyo Platinum that I received this week from Classic Pens. I will write a review after I’ve worked with it for a while, but it writes smoothly and is one of the most beautiful pens I own. So, here’s some eye candy.

Books I Read in 2014

I did a considerable amount of reading this year, and I think there’s some good variety. I especially enjoyed reading a few books that I knew I should read but hadn’t, such as Bless Me, Ultima; 1984; and The Road. I read my usual hoard of mystery novels, but also some books outside my comfort zone, such as the MaddAddam trilogy and Karen Fowler’s novel. Reading poetry is definitely a new thing for me, but I’ve learned so much from reading Christian Wiman and Mary Szybist. Next on my list is the complete collection of Jane Kenyon’s works.

2014 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

Madison Square Garden can seat 20,000 people for a concert. This blog was viewed about 67,000 times in 2014. If it were a concert at Madison Square Garden, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Pensieve: J. Herbin Stormy Grey Ink Review

J. Herbin Stormy Grey ($26.00 at Goulet Pens) seems to be the ink everyone is talking about lately. Retailers can’t keep it in stock, so the buzz is bustling bottles off the shelves.

Pensieve: The Omas Ogiva Limited Edition Saft Green Celluloid

The Omas Ogiva Limited Edition Saft Green: A Review

The truth is, I have too many fountain pens. But, I didn’t have an Omas. I started looking for one several months ago. Originally, I settled on an Omas Ogiva Vision in blue with rose-gold trim. But after I received it, I realized that it was too similar to my Platinum 3776 in Chartres blue. So, I sent it back and ordered the Omas Ogiva in saft green celluloid. I’m glad I did.

 

Making Music with a Nakaya Kikyo Piccolo Music Nib

I’ve been curious about music nibs since I first read a comparison review on FPN about them. I wasn’t sure I would like such a broad nib, but I decided I had to try one after seeing such gorgeous results from people who wrote with them. I debated between Sailor, Platinum, and Nakaya, knowing that trying to find a wonderful vintage music nib would be almost impossible. I decided on Nakaya since most of my favorite pens are Nakayas, and I knew I could get the nib adjusted if necessary.

Abraham’s Daughter

The following is a work of fiction, but it incorporates details from Genesis 16, 21, and 22. My story was inspired by the song, “Abraham’s Daughter” by Arcade Fire.

I clutched at my mama’s skirts, tearing them. Screaming and kicking, I tried to get back to her. I dug my fingers into the sand but sand is sneaky, and the man dragging me away gripped me so hard I thought my ribs would crack. I sobbed and choked, my tears drying the instant they hit the hot ground. I watched my mama throw herself at the old woman’s feet, wailing like a mourner at a burial. But Sarah kicked my mother in the face, dusting her head with dirt and bloodying her nose.

The God Who Sees Me (Genesis 16)

Invisible. Overlooked. Inferior.

I sit alone in the tent of slaves, trying to prepare myself for the day. Work. Unrelenting, overwhelming. I am no one.

I rise slowly and drink stale water from a jug. The old woman gets angry if I am slow. So I hurry in the darkness to the well. I climb down the uneven mud steps and draw fresh water for her and the old man.

I arrive at the tent. Good. They still sleep. I set my jug down and get to work on the bread, taking the barley I ground yesterday and mixing up a loaf.